NBA Superstars wasn’t just a VHS tape. It was a sublime exhibition of golden era basketball at the highest level.

Alright, that’s the nostalgia talking. However the above description isn’t that far off the mark. I hold NBA Superstars in such high regard because it played a key part in getting me interested in basketball. I watched the tape damn near everyday along with practicing tomahawks on our Fisher Price hoop. That’s all I needed as a preschooler not quite ready to digest full games on TV.

The short, grainy reels matched with an undeniably 80’s soundtrack seems funny now but their unintended humor adds to the video’s replay value. Such is especially true on Michael Jordan’s and Dominique Wilkins’ montage’s over Berlin’s “Take My Breath Away” and Yanni’s “Looking Glass” respectively. At the same time both segments are still effective in capturing what made those players so special.

NBA Superstar also did a number on me when it comes to song association. I can’t imagine Janet Jackson’s “Control” to this day without Magic Johnson’s laser sharp passes. The tape introduced me to Kool Moe Dee’s “How Ya Like Me Now:” one of the first rap records I memorized…well at least two thirds of it. Whitney Houston’s “Greatest Love of All” remains linked to Dr. J’s graceful play. Also, who could forget “Teddy’s Jam?”

The NBA and Sports Illustrated made a series out of NBA Superstars yet none of them came close to matching the original’s quality. Once again, blame rose-tinted shades for my conclusion but I’m just keeping it 100. NBA Superstars didn’t rock all the bells and whistles seen in today’s sports reels. Nevertheless, it stands out because it chronicled the some of the best players ever with a fitting soundtrack. Now please excuse me as I make another futile attempt towards finding my tape.

i miss these videos. i used to watch them religiously before playing ball on saturday mornings besides NBA INSIDE STUFF with Ahmad Rashad. that show used to get me hyped. especially the dunks/slams of the week. i broke my moms coffee table when i saw the baseline dunk Vince Carter did on the the Pacers. that isht was amazing!

Yeah just found my NBA JAM SEsions VHS… shit is gold… Biggie still listed next to heavy D as “Biggie Smalls”- “soarin and scorin like Jordan, U-huh u-huh- he musta had his wheeties this mornin”
And Erik B and Rakim Don’t Sweat the technique…… Tim Hardaway thowing crazy passes off THAT crossover. Just SHAKE THE RIM!!!!
Never lettin go of that shit

TSS should just put JAM SESSION up as a Sat Matinee… so much classic shit-Shaq beakin boards and Bobby Brown…what more needs to be said. THe Bird/Magic tribute was always a lil sappy with the music and all tbh

I enjoyed the 1st 2 NBA Superstars tapes more than all of the issues of Sports Illustrated subscription they came with combined. I still can’t hear “Small Town” without thinking of Bird or “How Ya Like Me Now” without picturing Olajuwon.